Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
Back in the saddle again! When I think of that type of western movie icon, I think of John Wayne. And when I think of John Wayne, I think of my daddy. I’m pretty sure Daddy had every videotape of every John Wayne movie on the market. He was that big of a fan. Daddy thought of John Wayne as a man’s man. A cowboy-type guy.
Photo by Carol Highsmith’s America on Unsplash
John Wayne had some great lines in many of his movies. But it wasn’t just the lines; it was the way in which he delivered them. Plus, never let it be said that a John Wayne movie isn’t filled with adventure and danger.
Take, for instance, the following:
- The Cowboys (1972): “Cattle Drive Up North” was a phrase that John Wayne’s character, Wil Andersen, uses. It meant the cattle drive would not only be an extreme distance but also incredibly difficult and dangerous. Not so important for grown men or seasoned cowboys, but for a bunch of schoolboys who lacked the experience, that’s altogether a different story. Wayne’s character was desperate. He had to use the kids or go bankrupt.
- The Cowboys (1972) once again: “The Kid Falling Off the Horse” speaks to several things. When one of the kids falls off his horse due to exhaustion and homesickness, he starts crying. John Wayne’s character shows no pity and offers no coddling. He says, “The cattle don’t care if you’re tired, and they don’t care if you’re crying. Now get back on your horse.” Tough love? Yep. Why? Because life doesn’t stop for our feelings. We each must bear our own load. The goal of Wayne’s character is restoration and not abandonment. He demands that the kid rise to the occasion and reclaim his position.
- McLintock! (1963): “I pay a man’s wages, and I expect a man’s work.” This is an interaction between Wayne’s character, McLintock, and a character he hired to do a job. The guy thanks McLintock for “giving” him a job, and McLintock quips back at him with, “Gave? Why, you got it all wrong. I don’t give jobs, I hire men. You won’t give me anything, and I won’t give you anything. We both hold up our ends.” Meaning a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work. He wants the guy he hired to have dignity and not feel like a charity case. Nor does McLintock want to feel like a superior ruler simply handing out favors. They must be equals trading honest labor for honest pay. Pride of the helper.
What if you came upon these types of businesses:
Nuttin’ Fancy Café
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Decent Cleaners
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It’ll Do Motel
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None of these emit excellence? They aren’t appealing?
Paul told the Galatians to get back in the saddle and start to work. It’s worth noting that our works don’t get us into heaven. Salvation is God’s gift. All we need to do is receive it. That’s where we have salvation. From there, we’re called to a standard of excellence in all we do.
In verse 3 of our scripture, we read that we should never get the big head when we have success. Don’t get cocky. Don’t let your ego overshadow what you’ve accomplished. Taking pride is good, but it doesn’t mean you’re better.
In verse 4 of our scripture, we read that we should take pride in what we do, to examine our work, and to make sure it’s our best. Strive for greatness. Strive for excellence.
Some understand that it’s not about the money; it’s about the pride in the work.
When my second children’s chapter book, Dealing with Margaret, came out, I was doing a book signing at a local Barnes & Noble. I was sitting at my table when a little girl, clasping Dealing with Margaret, walked up to my table and slammed the book onto the table and said loudly, “I so have a Margaret in my life!!!!” That was a proud day for me. My little reader got it.
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What about serving others? When we serve, we come to the realization that we must go that extra mile. It makes all the difference.
Don’t just get by—strive toward greatness. God has given us the very best in giving us His Son Jesus. Verse 5 in our scripture speaks to taking responsibility to do our part to carry our own load.
There are, however, times when burdens are too heavy to carry alone. Those are the times others can help. Jesus can too. Jesus has done the heavy lifting. God took on the burden when He sent His Son to help us. So, when those times arise, and they will, remember that Jesus is always there whether we know it or not. In return, the Scripture tells us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 via ChatGPT from prompt by author, August 27, 2026
And that’s what I learned in Church… see ya next time!
